Santos KOTA KINABALU: Some are driving posh cars and may be earning well enough to buy a property, but they are still renting in government apartments meant for low-income earners.
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According to a resident at the Rumah Pangsa flats in Tanjung Aru here, his neighbours are driving Ninja King, Toyota Vios and brand new Honda, but still keeping their RM170 a month apartment.
Only those from the middle-income earners can afford such vehicles, he claimed."Ya, dorang suda boleh beli rumah baini? Saya pun tidak tahulah (Yes, they already can buy a home. But I'm not sure why they are still here)," said the 60-year-old odd job worker. Another resident said he is forced to "pull some strings" and get recommendations from local politicians after waiting for 10 years for his application to be approved by the Sabah Housing and Town Development Authority (SHTDA). While their rental agreements are reviewed every two years with the agency evaluating eligibility based on their income, some residents have stayed at the flats for more than three decades. An officer from SHTDA claimed that each time a review is up, many residents used their connections to local politicians for an extension. "So SHTDA is forced to give them an extension, although many are still waiting for their turn to be given a flat here," he said. According to the officer, some residents also rent out their apartment to others after deciding to move out, adding that they begin to charge their new tenants a higher rate to make a profit. "Our rent is cheap. But when they pass it on to others, they charge up to RM300 as rent," he said. Some residents are also seen in possession of up to three cars, while some are believed to have properties elsewhere but refuse to let the rented flats go, due to its proximity to the city. "They should move out and give others an opportunity," he said. Sabah PAS Vice President Hamid Ismail, who stood as the party's candidate in Tanjung Aru in the general elections last year, said SHTDA needs to re-look at the purpose of building such flats, saying it was unreasonable to keep such residents for too long. He believed those who are already well-off should give others opportunity to move in, saying those who are truly deserving should get an opportunity to enjoy the facility.
